Well the guestbook is finally up and running again. Due to circumstances beyond my control there will be no entries from October 22nd 2007 to March 28th 2008. Please keep the Guestbook tidy and follow the guidelines on the "Choices page". I no longer have the time to fix spelling errors or change the case of sloppy work. If your entry doesn't maintain the standard, it may not be included. Name: W H M Gill: JP CommentsHighly memorable ship and cruise of 21 days with some really rough weather - a beautiful ship and experience. As the result I am joining the new Arcadia in early September 2008 for a 17 day cruise Name: Tom Smith CommentsUpdating my original email address, and I still have fond memories of the, and not many of us left from Holnnesglen Hostel, Name: Sarah Jameson CommentsThankyou for such a wonderful web site and photos of the Himalaya. I was 5 years and 9 months when we left Britain. My brother was 7 and sister 12. My father had a promise of a job in Sydney and flew out arriving on 16th September 1957. My mother and 3 children travelled as £10 Poms. I remember making friends with the Holloway twins John and Brian and the swimming pool attendant who I fell in love with whose name was Paddy. It was a trip that marked a fracture in my life of before and after immigration. I am completing my PhD in narrative research on the topic of migration and the invisibility of the Brits in Australia in the 1950s. Many thanks and if anyone reading this would like to email me please do. Name: Betty CommentsI emigrated to NZ as a young single woman in 1961. We sailed from Tilbury on the Orcades visiting ports Gibraltar, Naples, Port Said, Aden, Ceylon, Fremantle, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and disembarking at Auckland. A fantastic trip and even though I have since sailed on several other ships I will never forget the Orcades. You can keep your gigantic modern cruise ships - they look more like floating boxes than ships to me. RIP Orcades! Name: Paul Young CommentsGreat site, well done. I remember going though the Suez and I think she was the (or one of the) first passenger ships through after the blockade. I was 7 then so can't remember too much. I do remember the children's menu's and pouring salt instead of sugar on something. I found the emergency practice as we were leaving Tilbury quite frightening. I was separated from the rest of the family and the water tight doors were being shut. At Bombay, the smell was horrible and I remember children begging and running up the gangplank and being chased of by the crew. That made a lasting impression on me. I couldn't believe children could be so hungry and thin. Some traders were allowed on board. One had bunches of bananas and a large spider escaped for one of the bunches, followed hotly by one of the crew who killed it. At Fremantle, we got off to visit my Gran and Aunt who emigrated earlier. This is where I was given my first bottle of Coca-Cola by my cousin. He then got me to jump up and down, you can imagine what followed. At Adelaide some friends that my Mum made, disembarked. She went with them to their new home. We disembarked in Sydney and spent four years in Oz. I think that and the return voyage gave me a new perspective on life. I still love the sea and sail. I also have an oversized wonder lust and have been to quite a few counties. Unfortunately I don't have any photos of that time but if I think of anything else, I'll email. Thanks again, a great site. Paul Name: Chris Brown CommentsA trip I will never forget as a young boy. Mum and four kids with the eldest 7(me), 5,3 and a 11month old. Migrated to Australia all on her own. Father was already in Perth working. Docked at Fremantle and lived in the Immigrant Hostel at Graylands for four years!. I loved looking at the photos. I wish there were more. Fond Regards and Thankyou for the site Name: John Pilbin CommentsMy cousin Joyce Barton from Welling in Kent arrived on this boat in the early 60 it was her last voyage before being decommissioned. I have 1 of the original ash tray from the ship fluted black with a chrome top which is removable. Any interest in one of those it has the P & O insignia on the side. Name: Gail CommentsI was just wondering if the Strathaird was on the internet as it was 47 years ago this week that we left Tilbury on the Strathaird's last voyage to Australia. Has anyone else from that voyage signed the guestbook? Yes, but on which page is anyone's guess. Strathaird left Adelaide bound for London for the last time on May 15th 1961. Mel Name: Doug Hemsley CommentsSailed from Sydney to Hong Kong to Singapore to Colombo to Durban to Port Elizabeth (My home town). Best memory ever.
Name: Tony Prideaux CommentsNice site, I was 1st Officer of the Himalaya from June 1966 to June 1967 then Chief Officer from August to October 1967 she has always had a special place in my heart. Other passenger ships I served in were Arcadia - 4th Officer 1956, Carthage - 3rd Officer 1959, Cathay - Senior Second Officer 1963 and Orsova - Senior 2nd Officer 1964-1966.
Name: Joy Quinn (nee Calvert) CommentsI was a 13 y.o. travelling with my parents Bill & Eileen Calvert, I have many fond memories of my 4 weeks and 2 days aboard the Strathmore, I wonder if anyone who reads this might know me or my parents. Name: Michael Potts CommentsLooking for any long lost mates who are smart enough to find this site. Name: Andrea Bourke CommentsI sailed from Southampton with my parents and sisters and arrived in Melbourne 9th November 1951 We were in Holmesglen Hostel then settled in Blackburn Vic. My sisters are Elise and Joy. I would like to hear more about our sailing. Name: Vanessa-Ann McCrindle CommentsMy mother travelled to Sydney in 1960 aboard the Orontes, a vessel name I have only just found from the passenger lists now available online. I am interested in how long the voyage took from London to Sydney and the Sydney arrival date. I would also be interested in anybody who befriended my mother Ann French, from the voyage and also in Sydney for the first year of her time in Sydney. Sadly, my mother passed away 25 years ago this June, which is why I am unable to ask her myself. Any information or photos would be greatly appreciated. Name: Sophie Burnitt CommentsI was 1 year old when I came out with my parents. Apparently my mum was so sick on the whole voyage that passengers used to look after me. Would love to hear from anyone who was on this ship. Name: Janet Phillips nee Barber CommentsMy parents went out to Australia on the £10 Pom scheme to Port Adelaide. I returned some years ago. Name: Robert Anthony Dowling CommentsThis month I celebrate 50 years in Australia. My family travelled on the SS Iberia from Southampton in early 1958. I had a great time on board as did my parents. We travelled first class & my parents wined & dined the entire voyage. Port Said, Aden & Colombo were some of the ports of call...thanks for your web page. It brings back great memories. Name: Philip Edwards CommentsGreat to see the images of Strathmore, we have a few of our trip to Australia. Well done Philip. Name: Gail Smith CommentsI was only 9 months old when I came out to Australia with my parents and my brother who was 7 years old. We landed at Fremantle before moving around and finally settling in Adelaide. My parents loved the trip out here and said they were never made to feel like "£10 Poms!"..... Name: Walter Badge CommentsI will be pleased to hear from any soldier returning on the Strathallan. I am of Cornish descent and travelled to Newcastle Australia on the RMS Jervis Bay in 1927. During WW 2, I serviced with 1 Aust A.A. Bde Signals in the Middle East - later 2 Aust A.A. Bde Sigs. in New Guinea. In 1944 after completing a Signal Officers Training School at Bonegilla Vic and then attended Officer Cadet Cadre 34 at Mangalore Vic. I was not commissioned but having completed a AWA Wireless Transmitter No. 133, I was posted to 94 Aust. Wireless Section which was sent to Morotai att. to Land Force HQ. At the time of the Jap surrender I was sent to the Celebes as NCO in charge of 12 Aust. Light Wireless Section directly responsible to the Brigadier (Doherty or Potts) for communications between the 14th, 17th and 24th Battalions. I was stationed in Singkang in the centre of the Celebes now Sulawesi where so 50000 had surrendered but still held their arms, probably because of the threatening Permuda ; a revoluntary indigenous force. At some time in this period I travelled on the HMAS Quiberon from Palopo to Macassar I think. Comments are invited from any Sig. Name: Elaine Marshall CommentsA journey of a lifetime, still in touch with friends made on board. Name: Louise Harper CommentsOur family migrated to Melbourne Australia. Name: Alan Murphy CommentsI was a bell boy aged 17 on my first trip to Australia in 1956, during the war with Egypt. We went through the Suez and came back round the Cape. In 1960 I was a utility steward and an assistant steward - happy memories. Name: Jae CommentsLoved the trip down memory lane, thanks. Name: Peter Murray McCormack CommentsI was 12 years old when I sailed on this ship to Australia . With my parents and brother Father : John Callison McCormack Mother : Frances McCormack Brother : John McCormack Name: Noreen Elizabeth Allen CommentsI was 3 years old when I sailed on this ship to come to Australia , I was with My parents and my brother Father : Joseph Allen Mother : Mary Rosetta Allen Brother : Joseph Weir Allen ( 9 months Old ) Name: Ross Edwards CommentsBoth of my parents migrated to Australia after WW2 on two of the ships featured. My Father travelled with his family on the Himalaya in 1952. My Mother and her family travelled on the Strathnaver in 1955. Great reference for those searching for photos of the ships. Name: Robert Cottrell CommentsWould love to meet anyone who came from Tilbury to Australia on the "Orcades" as I have never ever met up with anyone from the same ship. I returned to UK on Oronsay in 1960 and back to Sydney on the Arcadia in 1961. Those days were absolutely wonderful. Name: David Banner CommentsI was 3rd Radio Officer on board Arcadia from June 1974 to August 1975. I left the Merchant Navy after signing off Arcadia and settled in Adelaide and joined the South Australian Police Department. I am particularly interested in catching up with Paul Barry, who was the 2nd Radio Officer when I was there. I distinctly remember that our workload increased dramatically when Cyclone Tracy hit Darwin as we were out in the Pacific at that time. Name: Joy Quinn CommentsI would like to hear from anyone who was on the Strathmore, it left London in June 1963 arrived Melbourne July 1963, I travelled with my parents Bill & Eileen Calvert, I have very fond memories and would love to hear from anyone who was on the ship. Name: John Hamilton CommentsLoved the trip we were returning after a holiday home to Scotland in 1956, liked the surprise of waking up in the morning in a different port and exploring it. When one of the engines blew up in the Great Australian Bight. and the ship chugged up the waves a lot of adults thought that was the end but the kids k new better. I was 8 yrs old at the time. Name: Robert Doig CommentsHad my 12th birthday (Jan 1st) Still have fond memories of a great adventure. Name: Brian McTernan CommentsI was only 4 yrs old but I vaguely remember the swimming pool because my parents kept photos of us in our underwear we swam in. I consider their decision to emigrate as remarkable and brave move, and all our family benefited from it. Thank you for this site. Name: James
Ward & family CommentsLeft Tilbury docks on the Stratheden on 12 June 1962 arrived in Brisbane on the 12 July 1962 we had a ball all the way over. Name: Alan Donovan CommentsI travelled back from Hong Kong to Tilbury and have happy memories of the trip back Name: Bruce Oppel CommentsI was a 5 year old when we landed in Fremantle, it was raining heavily and I still had my "sea legs". My Father said to my Mother, "What have we done", the place looked so bleak. I am now 56 years old and living in sunny Queensland, my parents and "Australian" sister are still living in Perth Name: Thelma Winchester (nee Glazier) CommentsI am actually Thelma's daughter, Melinda. My mother emigrated to Australia, with her family, on the Orcades during late 1950. On that voyage the Orcades docked in the major Australian ports before my mother's family finally disembarked in Sydney. While in Melbourne on 5th November (Guy Fawkes Day), a photographer snapped a picture of my mother (at age 17) sitting on the railing of the ship & it appeared in one of the Melbourne newspapers (unfortunately the name of the paper is not remembered). My mother made a souvenir of a copy only to lose it, along with family memorabilia & many other prized possessions, during the floods of 1955 in Maitland. I have made several attempts over the past few years to find a copy of this photograph without success. I am hoping a visitor to this site may have been on that voyage & made a souvenir of the same newspaper. Name: Rowena Storey (nee Reed) CommentsI travelled as a three year old with my parents and two older brothers from England to Melbourne, Australia. We travelled First Class, to a new and exciting life in Australia. Name: John Stephens CommentsFond memories of that long trip many years ago. Is there a passenger list available?
Name: Ian Macadam CommentsJust looking my Father played on the SS Orontes in the orchestra from when it was launched until around 1936. I have a few photos and was looking for a few more. Thanks Ian Macadam. Name: Phil Spencer CommentsThankyou for preserving these images and histories of days gone by. Now all we need is the low vibration and bursts of laughter sounds to make it come alive again. Plus a few videos of sailing days perhaps? Ah, for the smell of the paint, the sea air, and the rock of the swell. Sure beats airports any day. Name: Anne Mackay nee Gosling CommentsI was 11 years old and travelled with my parents also my sisters June and Betty and brother Frank. I remember having a wonderful time. Name: Christopher Naylor CommentsGreetings Mel and other Strath Sisters fans, My mother, Ilse Marthe Altura, and my grand-parents, Heinrich and Margarethe Altura sailed from the U.K. on the Stratheden to Melbourne in, I believe, around August 1938, escaping Adolf Hitler and his nazi gang. We have one old postcard of the ship, I believe the Captain was Captain French. War in Europe was declared while they were travelling and I'm wondering where they were, geographically, when that happened. Through Suez was the route, I guess, and where else would they have stopped and how long was the trip? A family story says they were also shadowed by a German U-boat. The Stratheden returned to Europe as a troop ship loaded with young Aussies bound for the European War. Does anyone have any information about this last pre WW2 civilian voyage of the Stratheden? It would be much appreciated as I'm compiling a family history. My mother had joyful memories of the ship and her many young friends she made en route. It was such a welcome relief and total change from the chaos, violence and persecution in their home city of Vienna, Austria, and an anxious Britain, with war clouds gathering rapidly. Were there any other refugee, or other, children on that voyage who are still around? My family loved the Brits forever after being given sanctuary in the U.K. for four months, and then the opportunity to board the Stratheden and sail away to the better life they so desperately hoped for, and found, in Australia. Any information would be very much appreciated. Thanks for your wonderful site and the pictures which take you into another place and time. Name: George Punchard CommentsI worked on all Maiden Voyage, Orcades, Oronsay & Orsova. Name: Maurice T McLean CommentsI have found your Site fascinating congratulations and thankyou for bringing back the memories for me . I was on the SS Chusan when it had to dock at Port Said as a result of a Passenger contacting Smallpox according to what my Mother told me . I remember the Nursery but could not visualise it until I viewed your Pictures. As a 4 Year old boy I remember playing in that room along with other Children . Has anyone got a Passenger list for that particular Journey which I can view ? As a matter of interest I have still got the original School Report for Spring of 1957 when I attended RAF Seleter Primary Reception Class B . Great site keep up the good work. Name: David Donald CommentsHello, My Irish Grandmother, Sister, Brother and Mother were dragged by their Dad to go and set up a new life in Australia, for £10 for 2 years (Ten Pound Poms) They travelled on the SS. Ranchi from Tilbury Docks London on 17th June 1948,via Gibraltar, Port Said, Suez Canal, Aden, Colombo, Fremantle, Adelaide and finally to Melbourne where they stayed in Geelong for 2 years. The boat went on to to Sydney with everyone else. At the same time my Grandmother other sister's were coming out as well. Miriam came out on the SS Orontes with her husband and Beatrice came out with her husband on the Asturias. Another brother of my Grandmother was called Alex, he came out as well on the Asturias later on. The funny thing was as soon as my Great Grandfather got to Melbourne dock, he hated it! "Even the birds aren't singing for me right" he said and did for 2 years until they went back on the SS Orcades in 1950. Some stayed and some left and Alex couldn't make his mind up and kept going back and forth. My Grandmother's mother who travelled on the SS Ranchi, went out by herself! on RMS Mooltan in 1953 and back again to see the rest of her family. I am so glad to have this connection of adventure, and so glad to talk to them of what its like, because all of them are still alive and well , except my great grandmother and great grandfather. I hope this is interesting, email me if anyone remembers them or knows anything. Thank you. Name: Anne Barton-Smith CommentsWould love to hear from anyone who travelled on this ship - I have the best memories!!! Name: Patrick Routledge CommentsI was an engineer cadet on the Arcadias last voyage. We were due to pay off in Hong Kong but the Kungsholm was late out of dry dock in Europe, so we all went as far as Singapore. Name: John Paul Grahame Dean CommentsI was (7) years old when I departed from Southampton to Los Angeles aboard the ship with my Mother, Father and younger brother. Unfortunately, we have no photos of that voyage. But I do remember it very clearly. Name: Brian W Peel CommentsI was a Bell Boy on the 'Strathmore' then Assistant Steward and Wine Steward over a three year period including two other ships of the P&O, SS 'Canton' and troop ship 'Empire Fowey'. Wonderful memories which are now in my biography for the grandchildren. Thanks for putting this web site together. Name: Phil Martin CommentsI sailed on the Orsova on the world cruise in 1969 between these months as crew in the engine room Name: Doug Butcher Comments My name is Doug Butcher and I have a tale to tell. It was June 1970 when I boarded the Orcades in Durban. There was a large banner that announced that this cruise was an Australian Womens Weekly world tour. The crossing to Fremantle was a normal ocean voyage. I shared a cabin with Garry Behrens who was migrating to Melbourne with his sister Lin and her friend June Maartens. I was aiming for Sydney and not knowing the arrival date I told my friends and family to read the newspapers and they
would then know my arrival date - and that was how it turned out. There was a storm brewing in Perth when we arrived and it took the customs officers about two hours to transfer to the Orcades from a small tender via a hatch in the hull at almost sea level. Skies remained overcast for the two days we were there and then we left on Monday 22nd.June. Overnight the storm grew intense. Name: Carole Weir nee Barnsley CommentsI would like to contact anyone who was on the Strathnaver in that time. Name: Sheila Moyle CommentsI left Tilbury Docks with my family on the 6th January 1965 and arrived at Outer Harbour 2nd February 1965. We came to Australia as migrants and went to the hostel at Glenelg. We has the most fantastic time on the ship and I believe that we were one of the last ships to sail through the Suez Canal. The ports we called at were Gibraltar, Naples, Port Said, Aden, Bombay, Colombo, Fremantle and then on to Adelaide. This site is a great place to relive those wonderful memories. Name: Douglas Tweedie CommentsLeft Tilbury on the S.S. Stratheden in January 1956 and arriving in Sydney in February 1956, I was 12 when I came to Australia. One of the memories I have was when the ships crew were assembled in their tropical whites. The bridge sounded the ships horn to dismiss the crew and soot from the funnel fell over all the white uniforms. Name: Hazel Reed CommentsNot me, but my cousin Martin emigrated to Oz on the Stratheden in March 1963 aged 14. It brought tears to my eyes seeing this site as I've not seen him since and we were close as kids in Basingstoke, England. Now lives in Maryborough. Name: Vivienne Playsted CommentsHi Mel this site is great! My parents and us 3 kids ( Karl 4,me 2, and Kurt 11mths) all came to Australia on the £10 ticket from jolly old England on the good ship Strathnaver in 1958. Wish I had of been a bit older as I don't really remember much of the trip. Our family made friends with a German family on the way - the Schirks. I would love to hear from any of them. My brother remembers something about a ship coming from Europe (or perhaps Germany) that was in distress and the Strathnaver took passengers on board from it and transported them the rest of the way to Aust. I think the Schirks were off that ship. I obtained a part of our passenger list from National Archives of Australia. Name: Mr Leslie Wentworth CommentsOur family travelled back to the UK on the Oronsay with my fathers sister and her family. On arrival at Fremantle a family of three stowed away. They were found and offloaded in Aden and returned to Australia. On arrival in the UK (early September) my father (Jim) wrote an article for one of the English Sunday papers. I was wondering what happened to this family. They were originally from North Shields. I have a feeling that they emigrated to Australia but found it too hard to settle and so tried to return to the UK somehow. Many thanks for this website, only just discovered it and intend exploring further. Name: Joan Freestone CommentsMy family and I emigrated to Australia when I was 10 and I'll never forget the time spent on the Himalaya. It started off my love of ships. Name: John C. W. Shoop CommentsThis was one of the most enjoyable ships I have ever been on. I am sorry to see her go. Paula Pearce. Name: Bernadette Havard CommentsHi, just any info and or photos on that particular voyage, I was only 4, with my Mum Dad 2 teenage brothers & sister. Name: Emily June Gordon (known as June) CommentsI am June's daughter, Lynda. Mum sailed from Bombay to Tilbury November 1947 on Strathmore, aged 18, on her own. Had lost both her parents and came to make a new life with relations in England. Should have sailed to Liverpool but due to bad weather the ship docked in Tilbury. She will be 80 next year and we are trying to gather info together for a life story book. Would love to hear from anyone who was on this voyage. Mum has many memories of the ship and has always told me stories about it since I was a child. She has never been back to India, but has visited Australia, USA and Canada. Name: Brian Lomax CommentsFresh from Gravesend Sea School, my first trip as a 16 yr old was on Stratheden's last voyage to Sydney. Leaving Sydney, with long streaming banners flying from the ship, was unbelievable. Then approx 20 trips on Oriana, so very special memories for a young man. Starting as Bell Boy, then Leading Hands Mess steward, remember a Scots lad, Alex, had a terrific operatic voice... Tokyo Olympics, Cary Grant movie premier, one horrendous storm (Hurricane) we sailed through to Japan, and found out later that they thought we would sink. So deeply saddened to find photos the other day of Oriana after the 2004 storm, then one of her being towed to the scrap yard in China. Literally brought tears to my eyes... Anybody remember me, or those days, would love to hear from you... now a 62 yr old Florida chap, with memories l wouldn't part with for all the tea in China he! he! he! Brian. Name: Ian Haggarty CommentsWould like to contact anyone that may remember me, I was a steward back then, am now a real estate agent in Hills area of Sydney Australia and have been here for 38 years. Please contact me by email as I would like to contact old sea mates. Name: Chris Arnold CommentsI was very young and have no memory of the trip from England to Australia, nor, unfortunately, the old lady herself. Name: Peter Arnold CommentsI was about six and a half when we left England. I can remember a few things about the voyage. The crossing through the Bay of Biscay was very rough but to be contrary I suffered sea sickness through the Suez canal. I remember the Gili-Gili man at Port Said and people purchasing mementos from the small boats that swarmed around. The engine room had a fascination for me and I can remember the engineers polishing the cranks of the open frame steam engine as the crank turned. My brother Chris who was two and a half is lucky to be alive as his fascination was with the propeller wash at the stern and he was caught just in time one day as he leaned out over the bottom rail of the stern handrails. We had a day in Colombo where we visited a (Buddhist?) temple and a day in Perth where we visited the State Parliament and I sat in the Speaker's Chair. A wharfie's strike stranded us in Melbourne for a week and we were billeted out to a Melbourne family. She was a grand ship. Name: Maggie Knight CommentsI was only eight years old when I travelled on this ship on a trip from Singapore to UK via Australia and USA. Looking at the photos brought back a flood of memories. Thanks for that! Name: Gordon Samuel CommentsDo you know of any passenger manifests available for the Ranchi voyages England to Oz during 1950? Would be interested to hear from anybody who made the same voyage. Name: Pat Coolican CommentsHi Mel I worked on the Orcades from Feb 69 to Oct 72 when she was decommissioned. Started out as a waiter finished up as assistant barman, cellarman. A big hello to all my old shipmates. Name: Gary Logan ( cas ) CommentsI worked on the U Gang as lockerman. Harry Squires was Chief Steward. If you are still out there Davy Hale, what happened to the photo you took of us all on the beach in Rio and promised to send? I also played drums in the crew band with my dear friend Gary on vocals, Tom on guitar and Dave on bass. Name: John Clay CommentsI was wondering if there is anyone reading this who was on the Orcades with us in 1965. We stayed in Colmslie Hostel till the end of 1965. Name: Sally Ann Davis CommentsI travelled with Mum and Dad and little brother Robert. He had his 8th birthday on the boat. It was a fabulous trip and one I shall never forget. Name: William(Bill) Millar CommentsHi everyone. I arrived in Australia on 19th Jan 1961 with my parents, five brothers and four sisters and one adopted brother. We stayed in Finsbury hostel for a while. Great times then. Name: Christopher Goodway CommentsOur family arrived at Outer Harbour in SA April 1955. I had my 7th birthday on the boat. We came out on the assisted passage commonly known as the " £10 Poms". Many fond memories of the trip. Name: Wendy Perry (nee Dracup) CommentsIt is exactly 53 years ago today (June 13, 1955) that my parents, sisters and I boarded the SS Strathmore from England to move to Australia. I was a very young 14 yr old and had several other young passengers to run around with. I was actually a winner as a Spanish dancer in the fancy dress competition !! Thank you for the great site and all those long ago memories.....Regards Wendy. Name: Bob Jenkins CommentsI was 12 years old when I left Tilbury with my parents and brother and sister. I remember so much of this trip of a lifetime. I have a large collection of memorabilia including just about every postcard ever made, menus and items from the souvenir shop. The only thing missing from my collection is the passenger list that would include my name. Can anyone help with a photo copy please? I would also like to hear from any other passenger that was on this voyage. Name: Steve Jeffries CommentsI was one year old when we came to Australia. I had never seen pictures of ship that brought me here until I found this web site. Looking at the Ranchi certainly stirred emotions within me. Name: Jennifer Curry CommentsI will always remember the exhilarating adventure on board with passengers from Fiji, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. I boarded at Honolulu and went to Vancouver, B.C. There was a Fijian wedding aboard and I drank Lemon Squash. Very British. Name: Sue Connolly CommentsI came out as a child with my parents as immigrants and it is very difficult to get any information. Name: Margaret Airlie CommentsMy family left Scotland during one of the coldest winters in years and within days we were in an enormous storm in the Mediterranean and then tropical weather all the way. My mother was sea sick the whole journey so my sister & I had a great time exploring and running from deck to deck to get ice-creams and having fun in the play areas and watching shows. And the food was great. I caught chicken pox in Port Said and it went through the whole ship. Mothers & children were segregated and the men put together for the rest of the trip. The men were expected to commence work soon after arriving so had to stay well. Watching dolphins swim after the ship was so exciting for a kids from Glasgow. And the the traders coming out to the ship in little boats to sell souvenirs sending them up on ropes and then the money going down. It was a great adventure for a child. Name: Jeanette Iredale CommentsWhat a joy to find this site. Apart from a number of line trips on other ships, I cruised on the Arcadia and met my husband, Tim Iredale who was then working in the Dorchester Bar. We will be celebrating our 30th anniversary very soon. Tim, or "Shark" as he was known by his friends, would be known to many of the Arcadia passengers who travelled between 1975 and 1978. Name: Janice Baker nee Caton CommentsHi, I am so excited to find this website. I am seeking to find more info about this ship and other passengers who may have travelled at the same time. I was with my late parents and older brother. We were £10 migrants. I have lost menus and my crossing the equator certificate. Please contact me if you can help with info or were on the ship. Thank you Janice Name: Christine Morgan CommentsHi, could someone help me please. My grand mother Jasmine Khoury and her two daughters travelled from Lebanon to New Zealand in 1937. Is there any way I could obtain a passenger list. Thank you. Name: Scott Fraser CommentsMe, my twin brother aged six my younger brother aged 4 and Mum and Dad left Southampton in 1962 for Hong Kong where my Mum and Dad spent over thirty years. I think I may have been the last visitor to the ship as I went aboard her when she was back in Hong Kong on her final journey to Taiwan in 1973 - I went on board with the Red Cross blood transfusion unit which my mother started up and ran until the 90's - Happy Days!! Name: Paul Norris CommentsI remember crossing over the Equator and having a fancy dress party with King Neptune and my Mum always suffering from seasickness. We arrived at Circular Quay and moved into my aunties house at Randwick. Name: Keith Graham Robinson CommentsI came home from India with my mother and sister. We were off loaded at Port Tufiq on the Suez Canal as the ship was wanted for the N Africa landings. She then picked us up again and we sailed home with HMS Warspite as our Convoy Battleship. We were the slowest in the convoy although we had the Commander of Merchant Ships on board and usually were so far behind that there were no other ships in view. I was 8. Name: Stuart Ewen Lockerbie CommentsAt the age of 8, I migrated from Scotland to Australia in 1961 aboard the grand old vessel SS Strathnaver. I took with me my parents Norman and Joan (they had to pay 10 pounds each. Kids were free), my four brothers Graham, Kenneth, Iain and Neil and also my sister Myrna. It was my best boyhood adventure ever. Name: Chris Hughes CommentsServed on her - and other P&O vessels - as second Refrigeration Engineer. Name: Chris Howells CommentsA fine site and one which brings back many fine boyhood memories and adventures. Name: Stan Sickler CommentsLeft Tilbury England with parents Stan & Marjorie Sickler, brother Anthony and sister Janet bound for our New Zealand. Left Stratheden in Sydney Australia and boarded Wanganella bound for Auckland New Zealand arriving in March 1952. We had a great trip, I was 11 years old at the time. Name: Norma Dorsett (nee Paterson) CommentsI travelled with my parents William and Dorothy Paterson (deceased) at the age of 2. They both had fond memories of the long voyage. They also made some life-long friends along the way. Name: Marie-Claire O'Sullivan CommentsThe 3 berth cabins shown must have been the 8 berth cabins we endured when the Ranchi was used as a migrant ship. I was eleven, my sister fourteen, when we shared the cabin with my mother and five other women and children for five and a half weeks. My father was in another cabin with seven men. Of course, I enjoyed it. At that age, you don't mind the difficulties and enjoy and the adventure. My poor Mamma did not. She was sick all the time and did not like being in a cabin with all sorts of women. Name: Anne Hunt CommentsI tried to reply to the person wanting information on the June 1952 sailing of the Mooltan, but the e-mail bounced back. I was 7 when we left England and I do have a passenger list of our voyage which left Tilbury on June 11. Happy to take any messages as long as Mooltan is in the Title line of the message. Name: Cynthia Dickson CommentsMy parents 1 brother & 2 sisters sailed from Tilbury as £10 Poms in September 1958. Although I was only six at the time I can still remember many parts of the trip such as the Suez canal & the elaborate celebrations crossing the equator and being terrified of "King Neptune". Plus much more, I would be interested in hearing from anyone travelling at the same time as my family. Many thanks for the trip down memory lane. Regards Cynthia (Ledgard) Dickson. |
iinet.net.au on Friday,
March 28, 2008